Quitman County, MS jail at risk from floods, levee construction begins

California Delta levees are at risk of floods, repairs could cost $3 billion

As winter storms soaked California in early 2023, the Sacramento River swelled toward flood stage. Levees protecting large expanses of farmland and many towns sprung leaks. At one site, response crews drove metal sheets into the earthen berm and lined the levee face with heavy rock. The work cost almost $700,000, paid by local farmers who had to take out a loan. “It was way beyond our means, but we had to do it,” said Daniel Wilson, a farmer nea…

Quitman County, MS jail at risk from floods, levee construction begins

QUITMAN COUNTY, Miss. -- Water levels from the Coldwater River near the Quitman County jail are high and may continue flooding until April 14. Quitman County EMA Director Jimmy Mathews is running the numbers as the Coldwater River threatens the town of Marks. Mathews says the minor flood stage here is 39 feet, but on Friday, the Marks' gauge was reading 40.5 feet. Coldwater River (Photo by WREG)Coldwater River (Photo by WREG)Coldwater River (Pho…